PORTLAND, ORE. -- It's no surprise why the New Orleans Hornets have won two of their past three games and were competitive in Saturday's second half against the Denver Nuggets in the second of back-to-back games.

David Grunfeld/The Times-PicayuneForward Peja Stojakovic finds encouragement in how the New Orleans Hornets are playing of late, saying the team is getting contributions from many players during games. Quick starts and staying out of double-digit holes have greatly aided the Hornets' ability to put together a run recently to get within striking distance of the postseason seedings.

A simple formula, but one that can at times be devilishly difficult to attain.

When New Orleans' season-best six-game winning streak was snapped Jan. 11 at Philadelphia, the Hornets found themselves down 27-12 after the first quarter. In a Jan. 18 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Hornets trailed after one quarter 29-16. Two games before that, a road loss to the dismal Detroit Pistons, New Orleans trailed 31-16 after one.

The next chance for a quick start comes tonight against the battered Portland Trail Blazers, who are missing several key players because of injuries.

"We're coming out scoring, playing a little bit better defense -- but even if our defense isn't clicking, we've been able to match guys' point totals by being a little bit more aggressive and getting to the line a little bit more, point guard Chris Paul said. "So that's helping us out a lot.

"I think that's one of coach's points of emphasis before every game right now. We've got to be aggressive, we've got to show the refs early that we're going to be aggressive so we can get some of those calls."

In Saturday night's overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Hornets did not fall into a first-half hole. They overcame a stretch in the last half of the second quarter in which they missed 10 consecutive shots, yet still led 54-53 at halftime.

The Nuggets' biggest lead in the second half was eight, a manageable number as evidenced by the Hornets' ability to whittle that down, have a chance to win at the end of regulation and go into overtime against a team that was well-rested. The Hornets also did not have All-Star forward David West, who sat out with a sprained left ankle.

"We were right there, " said forward Peja Stojakovic, who followed an 0-of-6 game from beyond the 3-point line against Minnesota on Friday with a 4-of-10, 16-point performance against the Nuggets. "We had a good start, and it just carried over. Everybody played well. Everyone who had the opportunity to step on the floor played well. That's what it takes, especially against a team like Denver. We gave ourselves a chance, even without David.

"We're being patient and focused at crucial moments, making stops at the end of the game, and we're just understanding each other better on the court. But also, I think persistence really plays the big role. If you have a good start, you can carry that through almost the whole game and continue to give yourself a chance. And following the game plans, of course, staying within them.

"It's very important when you're on the road to follow the game plan, being focused, knowing what you have to do defensively. And not being in a rush on the other end. You can't get back in a game in one play. You've got to give yourself some time. This team has a lot of offensive talent."

Stojakovic said in the last month the Hornets have become better focused on the ultimate goal of reaching the postseason.

"Now is the time of year when teams are making a push, " he said. "It's the second part of the season, and we've got to play better basketball. I think there are still ways to improve for us in different areas. But as many wins as we can get, it's going to help us."

Coach Jeff Bower, who is 20-14 since taking over as head coach on Nov. 12, likes the tenacity with which his team is playing.

"I give the players all the credit for playing at that level, " Bower said. "We know we have to improve across the board, in every area. But the effort and intensity and concentration is something that is going to keep us there."

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Jimmy Smith can be reached at jsmith@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3814.